The results of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly Elections 2018 will be announced on Tuesday, i.e. May 15. The three major players in the state are the Indian National Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Janata Dal (Secular).

Bengaluru: The results of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly Elections 2018 will be announced starting 8 am when the counting of votes will be taken up. Most of the exit polls have given the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party the edge, while some have predicted a win for the ruling Indian National Congress. Some others, including the poll of polls, has projected a hung Assembly in Karnataka.

Since exit polls have a history of being off-the-mark, we have to take these projections with a pinch of salt. However, when the results are out tomorrow, there is a possibility of three larger scenarios emerging in the state of Karnataka. The three major players in the state are the Congress, the BJP and the Janata Dal (Secular).

1. Congress wins majority or emerges as the largest party

If the Congress party wins the minimum required 113 seats (total seats - 224; 222 went to polls on May 12), Siddaramaiah will in most likelihood become the chief minister for another term. Siddaramaiah has said that this will be his last election. However, if the incumbent CM loses from both his Badami and Chamundeshwari constituencies, it might become difficult for him to retain the post.

Siddaramaiah has even hinted that he was ready to “step aside” for a Dalit leader to become the chief minister, in case the party decides on those lines. “If there is any need for a change in CM, if they want a Dalit face, then high command will decide. Suggestions of MLAs also will be taken. No force decision can be taken.”

In case the Congress fails to secure a majority in the Karnataka Assembly, it can ally with the JD(S) and even seek support from Independents to stake claim to power. However, in such a scenario, Siddaramaiah may not return as CM as his relationship with the JD(S) has soured. In fact, JD(S) has indicated that they are ready to support a Dalit CM in case the Congress takes a decision to this effect. That will happen if the two parties decided to ally post-poll.

2. BJP secures majority or emerges as the largest party

The BJP will go ahead and form the government in Karnataka for the second time with BS Yeddyurappa as the chief minister. Reports suggest B Sriramulu, who is contesting from Bellary, may be made deputy CM in a bid to consolidate the Scheduled Tribes votebank ahead of 2019 General Elections.

In case the BJP manages to win seats close to the majority mark, it will have the option to seek support from Independents. Another scenario will be to ally with the JD(S). While the two parties have denied seeking support from each other in case of a hung Assembly, there have been feelers from both the parties to each other in the run-up to elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and JD(S) chief HD Deve Gowda have complimented each other on a number of occasions.

3. JD(S) emerges as the kingmaker and forms the govt

In case of a hung Assembly and with the JD(S) winning a good number of seats, there is every possibility of the party forming the government with HD Kumaraswamy as chief minister. For this, the party will need alliance or outside support either from the BJP or the Congress.

While the BJP may give outside support to the JD(S) to keep the Congress out of power in another state ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress may decide to support the JD(S) without joining the government to keep the BJP out of power.